Many underestimate the power of stand-upcomedyand its importance within our culture. However, you can look as far back as Lenny Bruce’s self-destruction over fighting for free speech through the medium of stand-up, to George Carlin’s breakthrough “words you can’t say on television” bit, to see how stand-up can change the TV landscape and society itself. While the modernera of stand-upis a slightly different beast, comedy can still have that power to influence many and create changes; look at Bo Burnham’sInside, which, to many, became the quintessential representation of millennial fears and the pandemic lockdown.
Daniel Slossis one such modern comedian who has also made an interesting and significant impact on his fanbase. Notably, the Scottish comedian has turned a stand-up bit into a remarkable feat, breaking up over 30,000 couples throughout his tours and a special titledJigsaw. Yet, this is not a cruel boast, as Sloss' view on love has led many to make positive choices and embrace being single.
Daniel Sloss, The Comedian Who Broke Up 30,000 Couples
Daniel Sloss: Live Shows
Daniel Sloss is an internationally acclaimed Scottish comedian, actor, and writer. He has created 13 solo shows on the stand-up circuit and has toured over 50 countries. Sloss became a favorite of Conan O’Brien, appearing on the program ten times during its run. The comedian published his first book,Everyone You Hate Is Going to Die, in 2021. Yet, the comedian’s most significant breakthrough and introduction to many came from the 2018comedy special on Netflix,Daniel Sloss: Live Shows. Split into two one-hour specials, the second episode, titled “Jigsaw,” would become infamous for its ability to break up couples.
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Daniel Sloss’s ‘Jigsaw’ Analogy Was an Eye-Opener for Many Couples
The jigsaw analogy came from Daniel Sloss talking with a friend, David, who was in a relationship without any major faults and yet still felt incomplete. Daniel, who had recently become single and was enjoying it, relayed that life is like a jigsaw puzzle, where we (people) are trying to build it as we go along to figure things out. However, sometimes the fear of being alone forces us to jam the wrongly sized puzzle piece uncomfortably into our puzzle, trying to force it to fit when it just won’t; we try to force a relationship to be “right” even though it doesn’t naturally jibe with who we are, creating a barrier to self-fulfillment and understanding.
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This statement led David to break up with his girlfriend, even trying to convey the puzzle analogy to her, and, ultimately, feeling better about moving on in life on his own. This analogy affected a few of Daniel’s other friends, leading him to try incorporating it into his show.
“You should love someone for who they are, not who you want them to be. Otherwise, you’re just in love with an imaginary person.”
After trying out a comedy bit based on the puzzle concept, a woman approached him after one of his shows, saying she hadbroken up with her boyfriendbecause of his words and felt more complete. Later, a 50-year-old man who had been married for twenty years approached him and said he had left his wife after hearing his jigsaw analogy and was now living a happier life. However, one of the most influential reactions Sloss got was froman 18-year-old fan who brought her parents, whom she knew were miserable, together. The parents would divorce afterward, even returning to another show and getting Daniel Sloss to sign their divorce papers.
How We Know Daniel Sloss Has Broken Up 30,000 Couples
The jigsaw analogy would grow as Sloss toured with it and realized its influence on others, and eventually, he would release a full special titledJigsaw.The special would take on a tone more like a TED talk but with some of Sloss' signature humor thrown in, further pushing the puzzle analogy to a larger audience through a refined 50+ minute special. Within the special and on social media, the comedian asked anyone who watched it and who broke up with a partner afterward to let him know.Sloss would then keep a tally of anyone who told him in person or over social media that they broke up with a partner after watching his special, which came to over 30,000. This tally was relayed in a June 01, 2025, episode ofThis American Life.
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The special was released in 2018, but Daniel Sloss' message still resonates with audiences years after its release. Some fans have described the special as a “love letter for single people,” making it ideal for those whoembrace the single lifestyle. Conversely, those in a relationship may want to tread lightly if theycheck outDaniel Sloss: Live Shows, available to stream on Netflix. Watch it through the link below:
